In my battle between a Cannondale CAAD10 3 (Ultegra, $2100 new) and a CAAD10 5 (105, $1500 new), I went to my LBS today. They apparently don't stock CAAD10 3's, so they had me ride 2011 SuperSix's in 105 and Ultegra, since they're basically the same bike w/ diff frame (they share parts with the CAAD10s: groupset + crank + wheelset; just different frame). Honestly couldn't really tell the difference in shifting performance, or at all really...although all I did was ride around a couple blocks of downtown.

How does one justify the extra $600 for the Ultegra bike? I was originally just going to get the CAAD10 5 but figured it'd just make me want to upgrade to Ultegra eventually (as I am doing currently with my Sora/Tiaga bike)...but now I'm not sure why I should spend $600 more.

The only differences:
CAAD10 5 (105): Tektro brakes; Carbon-wrap Seatpost; Prologo Kappa saddle; FSA Gossamer Pro Crank; Shimano RS-10 wheelset
CAAD10 3 (Ultegra): Ultegra brakes; UD Carbon Seatpost; Prologo Scratch saddle; FSA SL-K Light Carbon Crank; Mavic Aksium wheelset

Also, they told me 2013 bikes don't come in until actual 2013, not August/September like I've been told before...as I was hoping to catch a 2012 bike on sale after the 2013 bikes come out.

What are your guys' thoughts?

I just replaced my SRAM Apex stuff with all Ultegra and I like it a lot. I've never ridden a bike with 105 but know a bunch of people that swear by 105. That being said, you could get the 105 bike and spend the extra 600 on a custom wheel set.

I think a lot of that $600 bucks comes in the form of other upgrades as well. Better brakes, seatpost, seat, crank, and wheels. If you don't care about the other stuff and can't tell any difference in performance over the groupsets, save yourself $600 and get the CAAD10 5.

I think you answered your own question. 105's come along way and it works quite well. Ultegra (complete group) is roughly .4 lbs lighter than 105, but if you're a weight weenie get SRAM or Campy anyway.

+1 on the wheels - keep the OEMs for screwing around.

As far as I can tell, bikes are as bad as cars in terms of when the new model year comes out, so I think your sales guy is trying to generate a sale now. A bike store near me has 2011 supersix with 105 on sale for 1699 - it might be easier to find one of those on sale than a CAAD, which is more wallet-friendly to begin with.

BUT, are they worth $600 more?

I have no idea why they would say that, but I'm hoping they are a new employee and just unaware.

but for cannondale most of the models and sizes are available starting in august, and nearly all by october. you will see 2013 caad10s by september.

I've seen leftover 2011 CAAD 10-5's going for $1050-1100. I just tried a 10-5, the 105 shifted just fine but was a little stiff. I tried an Ultegra steel bike a few weeks before, it shifted just fine but was a little stiff. My point being, unless you try them back-to-back on identical bikes, you'd be hard pressed to tell them apart. To me they both seemed like they needed to "break in" a little, if that makes any sense. For my money, ride quality and handling count for more, and it's hard to tell that in a parking lot spin.

Now both main LBS's have said the same thing: The 2013 models will most likely show up around this time next year.

total bs.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ight=2012+caad

there's a guy talking about some 2012 CAAD10s starting to come in. look at the date: august 16, 2011. there is more examples, I just picked one. and I know from personal experience of buying early in the cycle. (usually getting discounts on the leftover previous year )

Maybe both my LBS's arent cool enough to get them in early?

What's so funny? The SuperSix and CAAD10 share the same components...

To me the Caad 10 105 is a great bike for the money when you increase the price $600 you get close to other (better?) carbon bikes. At the higher price point I would look at Scott and many others.

The 105 system is good and the only advantage to Ultegria is a small weight difference.

Just get the 105 and you will be very happy and yes you could spend the extra money on wheels which is a bigger improvement.

I'm assuming he's laughing because of the difference in frames between the SuperSix and CAAD10 (I don't know how different they are being a Specialized and Felt guy). The CAAD might end up riding quite a bit different, because it isn't the same frame.

Unless you plan on racing or going up mountains a lot, I think I would go with the 105. You could save more weight on a great wheelset. Although... There is the bling factor which could matter to you And you do chop some weight off. Thus, why I went with SRAM Red for my TT bike. Weight and looks.

Well one major difference would be that the SuperSix is carbon and the CAAD10 is aluminum, but I was just riding the bikes to attempt to see if I could tell the difference between the groupsets.

Correct.

Any help on actually deciding between the two though? Lots of arguing on 2013 dates, no input on 10-3 vs 10-5!

Get the 105 and a nice set of Mavic Kysrium Elite and you will still have $200 left over.

Purchase the Caad10-5 and with the left over money use it to put some Gatorskin tires on, well worth it.

There's $600 worth of differences there.

No one can say whether it's 'worth' to you except you.

Someone who has owned both could say!

...what I'm trying to say is, we don't know how much $600 is worth to you.

Kinda why I'm asking, to see if other's think the $600 is worth it (to them).

The crank upgrade is nice. That alone eats up most of that $600 dif. Worth it if you have any plans to upgrade later.

The different frame is going to make way more difference than the difference in group will. I just thought it was odd that you were trying to decide based upon components, and not the ACTUAL BIKE they were on. Wheels, now those make a little more difference. But a CAAD-10 (with any group) and a Supersix (with any group) are not "basically the same bike." No.